Small Care Homes to support aging population

HN Summary

• Vancouver Coastal Health is launching Small Care Homes, a home-like long-term care model for seniors. 

• The approach provides personalized, 24/7 care in smaller settings, improving quality of life and relationships. 

• VCH plans to add 200 beds by 2029, helping seniors stay in their communities. 

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is introducing a new model of long-term care designed to better support the region’s growing and increasingly complex aging population. Known as Small Care Homes, the approach focuses on delivering more personalized, home-like care environments that emphasize dignity, autonomy and meaningful connection to community.

Small Care Homes are licensed long-term care residences created within existing houses that have been adapted to meet accessibility and clinical care requirements. Each home typically accommodates up to 10 residents and features private bedrooms alongside shared living spaces such as kitchens, dining areas, laundry facilities and outdoor spaces. The goal is to create an environment that feels familiar and comfortable—more like a home than an institution.

“Small Care Homes offer seniors the dignity, comfort and sense of belonging that come from living in a more home-like setting,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne. “They are an important part of B.C.’s continuum of seniors’ care, bridging the gap between independent living and long-term care, and providing the right level of support as people’s needs change.”

The model is designed to support seniors who require full-time care but want to remain in environments that feel personal and connected to their lives. By locating homes in communities of all sizes—urban, suburban and rural—VCH aims to help individuals stay close to loved ones, maintain cultural connections and continue participating in their communities for as long as possible.

The first three Small Care Homes are expected to open in spring 2026, marking the beginning of a broader rollout across the region.

Residents in Small Care Homes will receive around-the-clock clinical care while also taking part in daily routines and activities tailored to their abilities and preferences. The smaller scale of the homes allows for more flexibility in care delivery, helping to create a sense of normalcy and purpose for residents.

Familiar environments can also play a significant role in improving emotional well-being. Research shows that smaller, more personalized care settings can reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety, particularly for seniors living with cognitive decline. By integrating care into a home-like setting, Small Care Homes aim to foster stronger social connections and a greater sense of belonging.

The model also has implications for care providers. Smaller, consistent staffing teams make it easier to build trusting relationships with residents, which can lead to better care outcomes and a more positive work environment. VCH notes that this approach may also improve staff satisfaction and retention—an ongoing challenge across the health-care sector.

“Small Care Homes are an innovative concept that enables Vancouver Coastal Health to rapidly expand long-term care capacity while creating personalized, familiar and culturally safe home environments that improve individuals’ health outcomes and emotional well-being,” said Yasmin Jetha, Vice-President, Community Services at VCH.

In partnership with BC Housing, VCH plans to create 200 new beds through this model by 2029, significantly increasing capacity while offering a different type of care experience than traditional facilities.

Another key advantage of Small Care Homes is the speed and efficiency with which they can be established. By retrofitting existing houses rather than constructing large-scale institutional buildings, projects can be completed more quickly and with less disruption to surrounding communities. This approach also reduces environmental impact and construction-related costs, making it a more sustainable option for expanding long-term care.

VCH is working closely with a range of partners—including BC Housing, local governments, Indigenous communities and philanthropic organizations—to identify suitable locations and ensure the homes reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve. This collaborative approach is intended to support culturally safe care and ensure that services are responsive to diverse populations.

Once operational, Small Care Homes will complement and expand the existing continuum of care offered by VCH. They are part of the Province of British Columbia’s broader strategy to strengthen long-term care services by introducing more flexible, community-based options that allow seniors to age in place whenever possible.

Advocates say the model aligns with what many seniors and families are looking for in long-term care.

“These homes help ensure that seniors can live in familiar, comfortable settings where they feel valued, connected and supported,” said Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care. “But it’s about more than adding spaces—it’s about creating environments that truly feel like home.”

B.C. Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt echoed that sentiment, noting that Small Care Homes provide a practical and compassionate response to increasing demand for long-term care.

“Small Care Homes are the ideal solution for seniors who need full-time care and also want to age in a comfortable home in the neighbourhoods where they have lived, often for decades,” he said. “They are an innovative, pragmatic option that rightly prioritizes the well-being of older adults.”

As demand for seniors’ care continues to grow, VCH’s Small Care Homes model represents a shift toward more personalized, community-based care—one that balances clinical needs with quality of life, and recognizes that where care is delivered can be just as important as how it is delivered.